Cocoa Beach newlyweds will tandem surf in NKF contest

Combine a couple of acrobatic lifts with some ballet moves while riding a super-sized surfboard with a partner and you have tandem surfing, once a staple of Frankie Avalon movies.

Labor Day weekend, the sport will be back at the Cocoa Beach Pier during the 29th annual National Kidney Foundation Surf Festival.

Cocoa Beach newlyweds Ed and Kymmie Martinez will be among more than a dozen couples from throughout the United States who will compete in amateur and pro tandem surfing contests at the event.

“We really love it,” said Kymmie, who started tandem surfing two years ago. The pair was encouraged to do so by Bear Woznick, the co-founder of the International Surfing Association during an exhibition at a past NKF event. After practicing lifts on shore, they took to the waves and have been perfecting the sport since.

A dancer for 25 years, a former NFL cheerleader and a rhythmic gymnast, Kymmie said learning the lifts came easily for her.

Since the sport incorporates movements from ballet and gymnastics on the woman’s part, she was a natural. Although she did not surf before the two began tandem, she picked up the paddling and standing up on the board quickly. Ed, a former Army veteran, has been a solo surfer for the past eight years.

“I’m lucky to have a partner who is not only strong, but a great surfer, as well, both key requirements for this sport,” Kymmie said.

Among the more than 45 lifts that can be performed when tandem surfing, the hand-to-hand stand is considered one of the most difficult. It requires the female to be inverted, forming a straight line while above the male.

Less than a year into their tandem venture, the couple performed the lift during last year’s Easter Surf Festival.

“If anyone can pull off these difficult lifts, they can,” said Amy Lashley, of Melbourne Beach, a fellow tandem surfer. “These two are definitely great together.”

The Martinezes practice at least three times a week, waves permitting.

“It is something that takes trial and error, but in the end, once you master a lift and can ride the wave in tandem, it’s awesome,” said Kymmie.

“We try and take time away from our jobs, kids, etc. to do this together — something we think is important in our relationship. Luckily for us, we’re on the same wavelength when it comes to having fun with this sport. We’re looking forward to being a part of the tandem event at the NKF again.”

Watch the surfing

What: National Kidney Foundation 29th annual Rich Salick Memorial Surf Festival

When: Aug. 30 through Sept. 1

Where: Cocoa Beach Pier

Info: nkf.org or call 321-784-5661 or 1-800-927-9659